Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Space Technology, Issue: Artemis II.
Context:
NASA’s Artemis II marks the first crewed lunar mission since its Apollo Program of 50 years ago, signalling a renewed global race for deep-space exploration. It reflects a shift from symbolic Moon landings to long-term human presence, infrastructure creation, and preparation for future missions to Mars.
Key Takeaways:
BACKGROUND:
- Artemis Programme aims to establish sustained human presence on the Moon and enable future Mars missions.
- It includes Artemis I (uncrewed test), Artemis II (crewed flyby), Artemis III (Moon landing), Artemis IV (Lunar Gateway station).
- Artemis missions use the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to launch the Orion spacecraft. Orion spacecraft is a partially reusable crew module for deep-space missions. Space Launch System is a super heavy-lift expendable rocket with highest payload capacity in operation.
- International collaboration includes ESA, JAXA, and CSA under the Artemis framework.
- Governed by Outer Space Treaty, 1967 and supported by Artemis Accords promoting peaceful, cooperative exploration.
- The Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding multilateral arrangements between the United States government and other world governments that elaborates on the norms expected to be followed in outer space. Currently it has 61 Countries as Parties including India.
CORE ANALYSIS:
- Artemis II will send astronauts on a lunar flyby trajectory without landing, testing life-support, navigation, and deep-space systems after more than five decades.
- The mission follows a long-duration trajectory, travelling beyond the Moon’s far side, demonstrating capability for deep-space exploration unlike shorter Apollo routes.
- It relies on new-generation systems such as SLS and Orion, reflecting technological advancement but also higher cost and complexity.
- The broader programme aims to build permanent infrastructure including Lunar Gateway, enabling sustained missions, resource utilisation, and future Mars exploration.
- Global space competition is intensifying, with China-Russia pursuing the International Lunar Research Station, creating geopolitical stakes in lunar exploration.
- Artemis Accords attempt to set norms on transparency, resource use, and conflict avoidance, but lack binding enforcement and clarity on space mining.
- Challenges include high mission costs, technological risks, delays, and legal ambiguity in governing extraterrestrial resources.
- For India, participation offers technological collaboration and diplomatic gains but raises strategic balancing concerns with competing space blocs.
KEY FACTS TO REMEMBER
- Artemis II: first crewed Moon mission since 1972
- SLS: most powerful operational rocket
- Orion: deep-space crew vehicle
- Artemis III: planned Moon landing at south pole
- Lunar Gateway: planned Moon-orbit space station
- Artemis Accords: non-binding, 61 signatories
SYLLABUS LINKAGE: GS3 (Science and Technology – Space Technology) GS2 (International relations – global governance).
Source: (The Indian Express, The Hindu, Live Mint)
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